Читать книгу Frontier Engagement - Regina Scott - Страница 11

Chapter Three

From far too close, a gun roared.

Rina gasped and ducked away from the sound, pulse racing.

“It’s all right,” James assured her, reaching out a hand. But the gun barked again.

“Are we under attack?” she cried.

“Not at the moment,” James promised with a gentle smile as he reined in near the school. “That’s just how we call folks to dinner.”

Rina managed to catch her breath and nod. She had to remember she was far from the world into which she’d been born. But she’d hardly imagined she’d be fired on the moment she reached Wallin Landing!

“James!” The call came from the house, where Rina noticed a young woman with straight blond hair. She hung a gun on a hook near the door on the rear porch, lifted her pink gingham skirts and came running to meet the wagon. Her smile broadened her heart-shaped face as she gazed up at Rina.

“You’re here! Thank you so much for coming! I can’t wait to see what you’ll teach us. I’ve read all of Pa’s books and any John could get, but I know there’s so much out there to learn. I love history, but I’m not terribly good at math. John says I just need more practice.”

“This is Beth,” James said when the young woman paused for breath. “She’ll be one of your students. She’s enthusiastic. About everything.”

Beth’s full cheeks turned red, and Rina felt for her.

“Any student who enjoys learning will be a blessing to teach,” she told the girl.

Beth beamed. “Thank you. I promise not to talk so much in class. Or at least I’ll try. Dinner’s nearly ready. Will you eat with us?”

Rina glanced at James for guidance. He’d said the teacher was to have her own place, but perhaps she should eat with the family nearest the school until they were all sure the position was hers.

James eyed his sister. “Who cooked tonight?”

She raised her head and stuck out her chin. “Levi, but I helped.”

James nodded. “It’s safe, then, Miss Fosgrave. Levi does a decent job, but I’d beware of John’s cooking.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice, eyebrows wiggling. “Far too creative with the sauce, and don’t get me started on his use of cinnamon.”

Beth giggled, but Rina felt herself slipping into those deep blue eyes. She forced herself to look away. “I’d be honored to join you for dinner, Miss Wallin. Give me a moment to change out of my travel dirt.”

Beth’s eyes widened as if Rina’s propriety awed her, but James straightened.

“No need,” he said. “We’re all nice and dirty in our family.”

With another giggle, Beth excused herself to hurry back to the house. Rina frowned at James. Why would he refuse her? The Fosgraves had changed clothes at least four times a day. She only wanted to look her best for the people who would hire her.

“I do not believe my choice of attire is any concern of yours, Mr. Wallin,” she informed him.

“Oh, yes it is,” he declared, hopping down. He came around the wagon to her side. “Until one of my brothers shows up, I’m the one who’d have to ferry that trunk of yours to the school so you could change.” He bent and pressed a hand to his lower back with a groan. “’Bout near crippled me the first time.”

Rina shook her head, fighting a smile. “You do not strike me as particularly feeble, sir.”

He straightened. “Not in the least, but I’ll admit to being lazy as the day is long. I’ll let Drew carry your trunk. I’ll take the more delightful task.” He held up his arms. “Fair warning, ma’am, as I promised. I mean to take you in my arms. Only to help you down, of course.”

The ground was a long ways below. She knew she needed his help to get off the bench, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to feel those hands on her waist. She must have hesitated a moment too long, for his smile faded.

“I’m sorry, Miss Fosgrave,” he said, lowering his arms. “I seem to keep offending you. It isn’t intentional. I’m just used to teasing people I like.”

He liked her? Why would he like her? She’d given him no reason, hadn’t been particularly encouraging. She was no longer someone whose favor he needed to curry. Of course, as friendly as he seemed to be, he probably liked everyone and they liked him in return. Yet she couldn’t help feeling as if he’d given her something precious.

“Forgive me, Mr. Wallin,” she said, offering her hands. “Of course you may assist me.”

He slipped his arms up under hers and lifted her down as carefully as if she were made of fine crystal.

“Certainly not feeble,” she told him with a smile as he released her.

“Thank you kindly, ma’am,” he said, removing his hat and waving toward the house. “After you.”

Rina lifted her skirts and crossed the ground, where close-cropped grass grew in tufts. The scent from the Sound was softer here, tempered by something—perhaps fresh water and new growth? The heels of her shoes clacked against the boardwalk that surrounded the house as he darted ahead to open the door for her.

Rina stepped inside and glanced around, not sure what to expect. She’d only visited a few houses in Seattle, and those had been Spartan, especially compared to the homes the Fosgraves had preferred to rent.

The Wallin cabin seemed designed for comfort. The plain wood walls of the spacious room were made warmer by the colorful rag rug in the center of the plank floor, the pieced quilt draped over the bentwood rocker by the stone hearth. Stairs set into the far wall must have led up to the sleeping area. The openings on either side of the hearth gave access to another room that seemed to be used as a kitchen if the tangy smells coming from that direction were any indication.

An older woman, curly reddish hair turning gray, was standing by the fire, hands clutching her dark green gown. Beth waited beside a long table flanked by benches, with a hardwood chair at either end. Nearer to hand, a woman with pale blond hair neatly confined behind her head gazed at Rina and James, light blue eyes assessing. Even in the blue-flowered cotton gown and with an apron tied around her waist, Catherine Wallin looked elegant to Rina.

Her old traveling companion came forward with a smile. “Miss Fosgrave, isn’t it?”

Rina returned her smile. “Yes, thank you. How kind of you to remember me, Mrs. Wallin. I can only hope we find that we suit each other.”

Catherine frowned as if she wasn’t sure of Rina’s meaning. She glanced around Rina for the door, where James stood. He crossed to Rina’s side.

“You know how I am, Catherine,” he said. “I have on occasion exaggerated to make a point. Can you blame Miss Fosgrave if she wanted to make sure I was telling the truth before committing to being our teacher? She graciously agreed to come here for her interview so you wouldn’t have to travel all the way into town.”

He was coloring the facts, even now. Her list of requirements had not been given all that graciously.

“Oh, I see,” Catherine said, but by the look on her face, Rina thought she saw more than James intended. “That was very considerate of you, Miss Fosgrave. We can talk more after dinner.”

James took a step back. “Good. I’ll just go see to the horses.” With an encouraging nod to Rina, he left.

The room seemed somehow darker once the door closed behind him. She shook herself. She was here to teach, not to hang on every word from a certain gentleman’s mouth. Particularly when the words coming out of that gentleman’s mouth were nonsense more often than not.

“Thank you for inviting me to dine with you,” she said to Catherine.

Catherine’s smile returned. “Of course! You’ll find this table is always open. Let me introduce you to everyone. My husband and most of his brothers are expected any moment, but the others are here. You’ve already met Beth.”

Rina nodded to the girl, who was now setting pink-and-white patterned dishes on the table. “Yes, and I understand I shall have the pleasure of instructing her.” She could imagine the older girl helping beside her, teaching the little ones their letters.

“Indeed.” Catherine led her over to the other woman, a tall lady, her eyes were a vibrant shade of green in a face shaped like Beth’s.

“This is Mrs. Wallin, Beth’s mother,” Catherine explained.

“So glad you could join us, Miss Fosgrave,” the elder Mrs. Wallin said with a ready smile. “If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

Something pounded on the boardwalk then, and the door opened to admit the rest of the Wallin men. They were all dressed in rough trousers and cotton shirts open at the neck and rolled up at the sleeves to reveal flannel beneath. Rina recognized the largest as Drew, Catherine’s husband, and he confirmed the fact by crossing to their sides and kissing Catherine on the cheek.

The more slender brother, who was as tall as him with hair the color of James’s, was introduced as Simon, and the younger one with red-gold hair and green eyes as John. The youngest yet, who must have been Levi, poked his curly-haired head from the back room and ordered John to help him serve. The rest started moving toward the table.

She knew she should join them, but she suddenly felt alone, uncertain. They were so eager, so helpful. Would they still want her to teach if they knew about how she’d been raised, by whom she’d been raised?

James was the last through the door. His brothers hailed him, and his mother called his name in greeting. He offered them a smile before crossing to her side and holding out his arm.

“May I have the honor of escorting you to the table, Miss Fosgrave?”

This time it was easy to place her hand on his arm, to lean on that strength. “The honor is all mine, Mr. Wallin.”

He led her to the table, then pulled out one of the benches to allow her to sit. She didn’t realize until he moved away that everyone in his family was staring at him, Beth with mouth open wide.

James went to hold out the chair at the foot of the table for his mother. “Manners?” he suggested to his brothers with an arched look.

“Well, la-di-da, as Miss Maddie would say,” Levi retorted, carrying a steaming cast-iron tureen to the table. “What are we, the queen of France?”

Rina’s face felt hot, but Mrs. Wallin pointed a finger at her youngest son. “There is nothing wrong with treating others with respect, Levi Aloysius Wallin.”

Catherine turned to her brother-in-law. “Aloysius?”

Now Levi was coloring. “Pa said it was from the old country.”

Rina could not bear to see the boy teased. “It’s a fine name,” she said. “Far better than being called Alexandrina Eugenia. I have had to live with that most of my life.”

He shook his head. “You surely have me beat, ma’am.”

“Welcome to Wallin Landing, Alexandrina Eugenia Fosgrave,” Mrs. Wallin said.

“Rina, please, Mrs. Wallin,” Rina said. “A recent change.” She couldn’t help glancing at James, who was, of course, grinning.

The rest of them sat then, and Drew said the blessing from the head of the table. Head bowed, Rina listened to his deep voice thank God for what they were about to receive. She was thankful, as well. They’d arrived safely, and the family seemed kind and considerate. But she had yet to see if the school was as James had described it. She could only pray she had been right to trust him.

* * *

James munched on one of his brother’s famous biscuits slathered in honey butter and watched Rina pick at her food from across the table. At first, each laugh had made her flinch, and she’d glanced around as if waiting for someone to order them to cease their nonsense.

Of course his older brother Simon had been nearly as bad. He kept narrowing his light green eyes at her as if something about her simply didn’t add up. That was Simon—analyzing every situation and spotting the problems just as James spotted the potential. James would never admit it to his strong-willed brother, but he admired Simon’s ability to get things done, to stay on track. Still he wasn’t about to let Simon pick on Rina.

He couldn’t help remembering what Maddie had said, that someone had hurt her. Part of him wanted to hold her close, shelter her from whatever had sapped her joy. The other part wanted to tease her unmercifully until she smiled again.

He must have restrained himself sufficiently, for his family noticed.

“Are you feeling sick?” Beth asked as he helped her clear the table. Catherine and Ma had taken Rina aside, most likely to talk about their hopes for the school.

“Never felt better,” James said, carrying the empty tureen to the washtub in the back room. He peered over his shoulder through the opening by the hearth in time to see Rina frown. Didn’t she like what they were saying? Was she even now thinking about leaving? He’d worked too hard to coax her into coming!

“No, there’s something wrong,” John said, following them with a stack of cups. “Otherwise he would have answered your question with a joke.”

James shook his head. “Not everything has to be a joke.”

Beth clutched her chest. “What! Where is the James Wallin we know and love?”

“He perished under the weight of Miss Fosgrave’s trunk,” James answered, and his sister and brother laughed.

He was smiling as he returned to the front room. He liked making people laugh. Something about the light in their eyes raised his own spirits. For a moment, he felt worthwhile, like he could do something his more talented brothers couldn’t.

Why couldn’t he make Rina laugh?

He’d seen hints of it, a twitch of those pink lips that suggested she wasn’t immune to his charm. But he wanted to hear her laugh. He wanted to see her eyes brighten, her smile broaden. That, he thought, would be a glorious sight.

He’d simply have to think of another strategy.

As he began gathering up the remaining dishes, Catherine moved to his side.

“I must ask, James,” she murmured. “Why did you choose Miss Fosgrave?”

James glanced to where his mother was showing Rina one of her colorful quilts. “Look at her, Catherine. Nothing rattles her. That’s what we need in our schoolteacher. You know how some of those women would react when they discovered they’ll have three students for the moment, two of which should have graduated the schoolroom years ago.”

Catherine shook her head, pale hair gleaming in the lamplight. “I know our school is unique, and I can see Miss Fosgrave has a presence, James. But she’s quite pretty.”

James eyed her. “It doesn’t require a hatchet-faced spinster to teach a fellow, ma’am.”

“It doesn’t take a beauty, either,” she retorted. “At the moment, however, I’m more concerned with her skills. I want you to join us on this interview. There’s a great deal we must know about Miss Fosgrave before we grant her this position.”

Was she determined to make it difficult? Or was it that she could not trust his decision? “We never asked to see your credentials when you came to take care of Ma,” he pointed out. “You said you were a nurse, and that was good enough for us.”

She blinked. “James Wallin, there are moments when you are positively brilliant.”

James raised a brow. “Mere moments, ma’am?”

She laughed. “Take the victory I’m giving you, sir. I’ll ask her some questions, but I’ll see whether her actions confirm her abilities. It may be that she has a great deal to teach her students.” She eyed James. “And you.”

“Me?” Only the dishes in his arms kept him from raising his hands. “I don’t need schooling.”

“About some things,” Catherine insisted. She turned to motion Rina over, but James felt as if the plates had tripled in his grip. Although he appreciated the light in a woman’s eyes, the gleam in Catherine’s just then had been positively terrifying. Her smile to Rina was even more so.

He was very much afraid his sister-in-law intended to follow through on the threat she’d made at her wedding to match them all up with brides. And she meant Rina for him.

That plan had to be chopped down faster than an ailing cedar. His father’s death had taught him that life was uncertain, unpredictable. The more you clutched close, the more could be taken from you. He had no intention of marrying, leaving behind a wife in sorrow or living with the pain of watching her die. He shoved the dishes at John and tugged down on his waistcoat, preparing for a fight.

Catherine was all encouragement as she invited Rina and Ma to the table, then sat and placed her hands on the worn wood surface. The light from the lamp highlighted the planes of her face. James was glad Simon had excused himself after dinner to tend to chores at his cabin or this interview could have turned into an inquisition. James positioned himself now where he could see Rina. Her color was high, but at his presence or the upcoming questioning, he couldn’t be sure.

“Now, then, Miss Fosgrave,” Catherine said, “you were going to tell us why you wished to become a teacher.”

James leaned closer, eager for the answer. He could almost see Rina’s confidence slide over her like a royal robe. She sat taller, raised her chin and met their gazes in turn. Her gaze only wavered when it touched his.

“I consider it an honor to help children prepare for a better future,” she said.

James nodded, smile hitching up. That’s what they wanted for the school, as well. He glanced at Catherine, who offered Rina a smile.

“And how did you prepare for this honor?” she asked. “Where did you attend school?”

“I received the finest education from personal tutors,” Rina told her. “I am well versed in mathematics, geography, history, literature and science, and I am fluent in French and Italian.”

How could anyone not be impressed with her? He looked to his mother this time.

“A good education,” Ma agreed with a smile, “though I’m not sure what call my children will ever have to speak French.”

“Please don’t teach Beth,” James couldn’t help teasing Rina. “We barely understand her as it is.”

His mother swatted his hand. A smile lifted at one corner of Rina’s pretty pink lips.

Catherine remained relentlessly on topic. “What about references?”

Rina inclined her head. “I have a character reference in my trunk. I can show it to you once I unpack.”

“But no references from previous positions?” Catherine asked with a frown.

Now his mother looked concerned as well. “Have you ever taught school?”

Rina took a deep breath, the satin at her shoulders bunching with the movement. “No, Mrs. Wallin. But I believe I have the skills and determination necessary to make a good teacher. You will find no one more dedicated to her profession.”

James could believe that. Her fervor shone from her eyes. But she couldn’t know how important this school was to his family and to him. This was his chance to make up for what had happened to his father. He still thought Rina had the backbone for the job, but for the first time, he began to doubt he’d made the right choice.

Rina had all but accused him of picking her for her looks, and Catherine seemed to fear as much. Could it be that Rina wasn’t the right teacher for them after all?

Had he made as grave an error in judgment as the day he’d looked away from the tree and missed the branch that had killed his father?